We’re focusing on mission and vision here at Gather & Grow so we can embark on our journey through the next 365 days with intention. The following list of books to help your family be intentional this year includes great and trusted tools to guide your way.
We all start off the new year with great hopes of making this one better than the last. Even though I’m all about setting goals and creating a plan to reach them, I don’t believe in unnecessary pressure to do and be all the things. First and foremost our goal should simply be: grow a little more than I did the year before. To that end, I’m sharing a shorter and more focused book list to start this new year; a list full of trusted resources to help your family grow with intention.
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10 Books To Help Your Family Be Intentional This Year
Click on the book title for more information.
The Bible – ICB Prayer Bible in Blue
and Pink
and 
Helps with: Intentional Bible study + prayer
Why I like it: If we’re going to talk about being intentional as a family, the Bible must be the first tool on our list. But why this Bible? The ICB translation is my absolute favorite Bible version for kids. It’s easy to read and understand so it’s perfect for reading together as a family or encouraging kids to dig in on their own. There are several options in this translation available but I am loving these beautiful new Bibles with a focus on prayer. It comes with a little prayer journal to put what you learn into practice along with a back pocket to hold it.
The Tech-Wise Family: Everyday Steps for Putting Technology in Its Proper Place
Helps with: Intentional (and responsible) tech use
Why I like it: I’m just starting this book but it came highly recommended. It’s full of guidance (based on lots of research) on how to give technology it’s proper place and navigate devices in everyday life. Andy Crouch is a trusted voice in the world of Christian culture and he offers solid counsel in this book.
Parenting Scripts
Helps with: Intentional conversations + correction
Why I like it: Amber and Wendy have created an amazingly helpful tool in Parenting Scripts. They cover a wide range of teachable moments (aka parenting struggles) that often leave mom and dad speechless. These seasoned moms offer intentional words along with a process that will help you discover your own parenting voice.
Praying for Girls
+ Praying for Boys
+ 
Helps with: Intentional Prayer
Why I like it: These books have changed the way I pray for my kids! With specific topics, scriptures and prayers, each book will guide you deeper in praying focused and intentional prayers over the lives of your sons and daughters.
The Road to Character
Helps with: Intentional character building
Why I like it: This book promises to help the reader rethink their priorities and build lives marked by intentional and moral depth. David Brooks focuses not on the latest trends that bring success (what he calls “resume virtues”) but instead, the deeper values that should inform and guide our lives (what he calls “eulogy virtues”) such as kindness, bravery, honesty and faithfulness.
Cultivate: A Grace-Filled Guide to Growing an Intentional Life
Helps with: Intentional growth
Why I like it: One of my top 3 books of last year, Cultivate had me ready to leap out of my chair and go after every God-dream I’d ever had. Written by Lara Casey, the amazing woman behind Powersheets (see below), this book is about so much more than goal setting and entrepreneurship. It’s about life and family and tending to the things that matter most.
20,000 Days and Counting: The Crash Course for Mastering Your Life Right Now
Helps with: Intentional vision
Why I like it: I read this book in about an hour. It’s short and to the point; chock full of truth bombs that will inspire you to live with intention for as long as God allows. This book will challenge and motivate you to simple action. It’s a great book to read while doing our Becoming a Family on Mission study (coming January 12th).
Reading People: How Seeing the World through the Lens of Personality Changes Everything
Helps with: Intentional interaction and understanding
Why I like it: Personality tests and typing have become a popular trend lately and understandably so. There are now more tools than ever to help us unwrap the unique tendencies and giftings of ourselves and our loved ones. How much more intentional could we be if we had a greater understanding of why we do the things we do? Reading People gives insight and context for many of the popular personality tools of today and will help guide you and your family on a journey of self-discovery.
Reclaiming Home: The Family’s Guide for Life, Love and Legacy
Helps with: Intentional family time
Why I like it: I consider author (and friend), Krista Gilbert my mothering mentor. She’s not all that far ahead of me but basically, I want to be her when I grow up. She is one of the most intentional moms I’ve ever met. But the beauty I see in Krista’s family life is this: she leads with intention but without overwhelm. There’s purpose and rhythm and grace to the way she guides her family – with a whole lot of heart and a ton of laughter. There are amazing ideas in this book; it’s a must-read!
Let Your Life Speak: Listening for the Voice of Vocation
Helps with: Intentional living
Why I like it: Another short book with long term effects. Let Your Life Speak is about allowing the unique gifts, personality and story God has given you guide your life. We talk often about family story around here. This book encompasses the quote that’s driving my passion for this very topic. . .
Each person’s life is a story that is telling itself in the living. William Throsby Bridges
BONUS TOOLS FOR INTENTIONAL LIVING
The Faithful Life Planner
Helps with: Intentional planning
Why I like it: Ok, so this one’s not a book. . .but it’s an incredible tool that will help you pursue faithfulness as you guide your family this year. The Faithful Life Planner isn’t a typical planner. Erika Dawson of Faithful Moms has a vision to help moms pursue faithfulness over success and purposeful living over simply staying busy. With a focus on giving God first place, this planner will help you slow down and listen, linger in God’s presence, and walk in the plans he has for you. With space for sermon notes and quiet time, The Faithful Life Planner encourages you to care for your soul while managing your day-to-day life.
Powersheets
Helps with: Intentional goal setting
Why I like it: I used to shy away from the idea of goal setting because I was so afraid of failure. But this tool has been a game changer for me. The presentation and the process are both beautiful, engaging and non-threatening. This monthly goal-setting planner is not for keeping track of your days but rather keeping track of your dreams.
Join us for our new year Bible study, Becoming a Family on Mission. It’s free to subscribers. Get it HERE!
What books are you reading to start the new year with intention? I’d love to know your favorites!
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